Selected features of the desmostylian skeleton and their phylogenetic implications. American Museum novitates ; no. 2870

Abstract:

"According to several standard descriptions, desmostylians lack certain specializations shared by proboscideans, sirenians, and hyracoids. These specializations are amastoidy and the serial arrangement of the carpals with the concomitant loss of contact between the lunar and unciform. We argue that original descriptions of desmostylians pertaining to these traits are either in error, or have alternative phylogenetic implications. Hence, comparisons of these conditions do not exclude desmostylians from the superordinal group Tethytheria (proboscideans and sirenians) or the more inclusive Paenungulata (tethytheres and hyracoids)"--P. [1].

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American Museum NovitatesNovitates (Latin for "new acquaintances"), published continuously and numbered consecutively since 1921, are short papers that contain descriptions of new forms and reports in zoology, paleontology, and geology. New numbers are published at irregular intervals.